Welcome to the June 2025 Share | Updates!
We’ll walk you through recent changes in Australia, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg and Slovenia with proposed changes in New Zealand.
Our feature Periodical Reminders has been very well received. We’re sharing annual returns, statements, reports, notifications or filings to expect in the next three months.
Let’s have a look!
Recent Changes
Australia
Superannuation on cash awards due to increase to 12% on 1 July 2025
Currently, the Superannuation Guarantee is payable at a maximum rate of 11.5% by the local company, capped at employee earnings of AUD 65,070 per quarter for the 2024–25 financial year. This rate will increase to 12% on 1 July 2025.
Austria
Tax Free Bonus for employees
Austria will introduce a new tax-free employee bonus for 2025 and 2026, allowing employers to voluntarily grant up to €1,000 per employee tax-free. This bonus is not tied to collective agreements or works councils and is meant to reward individual performance at the employer’s discretion. There is no draft legislation yet, but it is expected that only extraordinary, non-regular bonuses will qualify. A decision on extending the model beyond 2026 will be made in 2027.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Social Security Changes
The rate of employer social security is reduced from 10.5% to 5% from July 2025.
Italy
Tax-free Allowance for “broad-based” Employee Share Plans
Italy offers a tax-free allowance of up to €2,065 per year when shares are granted under a “broad-based” employee share plan. A recent ruling has clarified what this actually means in practice—companies don’t have to include every employee to qualify.
Certain groups, such as fixed-term staff or senior executives, can be excluded as long as the plan remains fair and non-discriminatory. This flexibility makes it much more practical for companies to implement the plan for the employee populations they truly want to incentivise.
Japan
Relaxed Securities Laws
In case you missed it, the Japanese government has expanded the employee share plan exemption, making it easier for companies to offer equity awards to employees of their subsidiaries in Japan without filing with the securities regulator. Previously, the exemption was limited to wholly-owned, first- or second-tier subsidiaries of the issuing company. The new amendment, effective from 25 February 2025, broadens eligibility and simplifies the process for most companies.
Luxembourg
Tax Regime Support for Startups
Luxembourg is stepping up its support for startups with a newly proposed stock option scheme designed to reward early employees with equity. Those who join at the ground level could benefit from a highly competitive capital gains tax regime—making it an attractive incentive for entrepreneurial talent. More details to follow.
Slovenia
Social Security contributions are increased
Social Security contributions are increased as follows from 1 July 2025:
- Employee Social Security – from a maximum rate of 22.1%, to 23.10%
- Employer Social Security – from a maximum rate of 16.1%, to 17.10%
Changes on the Horizon*
New Zealand
Tax Relief for Start-Up Share Awards
In New Zealand’s Budget 2025 earlier this month, the Government announced its intention to proceed with changes that will enable start-up and unlisted companies to defer an employee’s tax liability on share awards until a liquidity event. This will help assist the cashflow issues that arise if the tax liability becomes due at a time when employees are unable to sell the shares acquired.
Refer to our previous Share | Updates to see more changes expected on the horizon!
Periodical Reminders
UK
ERS annual returns – July 6
The HMRC ERS annual returns are now due and must be filed by 6th July. Please make sure you use the most recent templates available from HMRC for your returns.
Saudi Arabia
Notify CMA all offers of Awards made in the preceding quarter – July 10
Companies offering Awards to employees in Saudi Arabia must notify the Capital Market Authority (CMA) within ten days after the end of the quarter following grant disclosing the total number and value of all offers made to employees during the preceding quarter.
Australia
Employee ESS statements – July 14
The Local Company must provide an employee share scheme statement to Participants in connection with Awards by 14 July ( in respect of the previous financial year).
Vietnam
Quarterly report to the SBV – July 20
There are quarterly reporting requirements to the SBV using a prescribed form which includes details of the number of grants of Awards made and the number of shares issued under Awards.
China
SAFE quarterly – July 30
Companies registered with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) in China are required to file their quarterly reports electronically.
Australia
Annual tax report – August 14
The Local Company must lodge an electronic report to the Australian Taxation Office in relation to its employee share scheme arrangements by 14 August.